Disposable variable depth anchor cable pack

ABSTRACT

A low cost, disposable cable pack for small buoy anchors providing a simple, standardized means to mechanically adjust for proper depth. The cable pack is comprised of two concentric hollow cylinders and a perpendicular plate. Depth settings are controlled by inserting or removing retaining pins that release predetermined lengths of anchor cable wound inside the anchor pack that pay out during anchor descent. The cable pack also has a time release Buoy securing device to keep the buoy submerged and out of the way of traffic until needed as well as a method to create a water soluble species of the cable pack.

This is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No.10/904,585 filed Nov. 17, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a standardized cable device to anchorsmall buoys at variable shallow water depths and its construction. Thedisclosure also includes a description of a water soluble embodiment.

BACKGROUND

In the military and commercial maritime industries, a need arisesrequiring the insertion of small marker buoys, sonobuoys and detectiondevices into the sea. The purpose behind these devices requires thatthey remain stationary against currents, wind and wave action. Insertionof these buoys is usually done by small boats or by helicopter.

In a commercial setting, fishermen and divers use various marker buoys,hand made anchors and anchor cables to mark net locations, lobster pots,and dive locations. In the military setting, Mobile Inshore UnderseaWarfare, Harbor Defense and other units drop standard sonobuoys closeinshore to monitor costal areas for unauthorized vessel intrusion andhostile divers.

In many instances, the anchors and anchor cables are constructed ashoreon a best guess basis and carried to the drop location. Insertion may beconducted at night and in rough seas making the presence of coiled lineon deck dangerous and the sizing and attachment clumsy and dangerous aswell. Unless these buoys are confidently anchored in place the efficacyof the buoys is quickly degraded.

An ancillary problem associated with small buoys is that passing vesselscommonly run over the buoys floating on the surface and get their propsentangled in the attached buoy lines. The present invention provides ameans to prevent the buoy from surfacing until desired.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide astandardized buoy anchor cable device capable of being mechanically setat various incremental depths quickly, easily and safely based on realtime fathometer readings or navigational chart fixes. The cable pack canbe easily attached to the buoy float and the anchor weight withoutsuffering coiled line on deck or in a helicopter. Depth settings arecontrolled by manually removing or inserting one or more restrainingpins securing the cable to the cable pack cylinders. Furthermore, coldwater soluble securing devices are used to provide a measure of controlover the mechanical operation of the anchor pack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a single ended embodiment of theinvention also showing the method of winding the cable.

FIG. 2 is the bottom view of the perpendicular plate on the single endedembodiment.

FIG. 3 is the view of a single ended embodiment sans an outer cover.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a double ended embodiment with the outer cover.

FIG. 5 is a side cross sectional view of the double ended embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a double ended embodiment sans an outer cover.

FIG. 7 is a front and side view of an exemplary attachment pointcomprising a grommet attached to the cable.

FIG. 8 is a depiction of a plan and a cross sectional view of a radialsupporting member connecting the inner and outer cylinders.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a preferred embodiment, the single ended cable pack may beconstructed from two concentric hollow cylinders. The cable packcomprises an inner cylinder 1 and an outer cylinder 2 perpendicularlyconnected by a plate 7 located at one end (leaving the opposite endopen) as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

The perpendicular plate has a concentric hole 3 to allow free passage ofan anchor cable 6. The open end of the inner cylinder may be slightlytapered and the ends of both cylinders rounded off to prevent abrasionof the cable as it pays out. The size of the cylinders can be any sizedepending on the diameter and type of cable used and the maximum depthto which it must reach. Should the need arise, the cylinders may easilybe replaced by similar components of a different cross sectional shapesuch as a square or an ellipse. The use of a Cylinder is a non-limitingexample only.

Each cylinder has a line of holes 4 placed down its length and directlyopposed to a corresponding set of holes in the other cylinder so that aset of pins 5 may be inserted perpendicularly through the sides of bothcylinders. The holes 4 may be set at regular intervals down the lengthof the cylinders 1 and 2. The number and placement of holes depends onthe nature and size of cable being used, the number of depth incrementsdividing up the maximum depth the cable pack and the ultimate size ofthe cylinders.

Each end of the cable 6 is connected to an attachment means 10 allowingthe cable to be secured to an anchor weight (not shown) on one end and abuoy float (not shown) on the other. The cable 6 passes through thecenter of the inner cylinder 1 and is wound around the inner cylinder 1in such a manner to allow free, unfettered pay out given the physicalcharacteristics of the desired cable. The anchor (not shown) may be anyconveniently available mass that may hold the buoy in place against thewind and current. A preferable anchor may be a bag or other container ofsand although a rock or commercially purchased anchor may be used.

The cable 6 passes through the longitudinal center axis of the innercylinder 1 leaving just a single attachment means 10 outside theperpendicular plate 7. The cable 6 may be led down from the open top endon the outside of the inner cylinder 1 and then wound over itself suchthat when it is paying out in use, it does not entangle itself. Theremaining cable 6 may be wound around the outer surface of the innercylinder 1 beginning at the perpendicular plate 7 and stopping beforethe first set of holes at the first attachment point 9. The firstattachment point 8 in the cable 6 lines up with and allows a restrainingpin to be inserted trough the outer cylinder through the attachmentpoint and through the inner cylinder.

The winding continues until reaching the next attachment point 8 and isrepeated until the entire cable 6 is wound into the cable pack and theother attachment means is just protruding from the open end of thecylinders. An extra pin and attachment point or some other means ofsecuring the attachment means 10 may be included to prevent prematurecable run out during shipment and preparation.

In a double ended embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the cable isalso passed through the hollow center axis of the inner cylinder 1leaving half of the cable 6 outside one end of the cylinders and theother half outside the opposite end. The cable 6 may be led down theoutside of the inner cylinder from the open ends of the inner cylinder 1and then wound over itself such that when it is paying out in use, itdoes not entangle itself. The cable may be completely wound around theinner cylinder beginning at each side of the perpendicular plate 7 andstopping before the first set of holes on either side of theperpendicular plate at the first attachment points 9. The attachmentpoint 9 lines up with and allow a restraining pin 5 to be insertedthrough the outer cylinder 2, through the attachment point 9 and hole 4and through the hole in inner cylinder 1. The winding of the cablecontinues until the next attachment point(s) 8 is reached and isrepeated until the entire cable is wound into the cable pack, pins 5inserted, such that both cable ends are just protruding from the openends of the cylinders.

The use of a solid perpendicular plate 7 to attach the inner and outercylinders may possibly cause a problem by trapping air inside a cylindermay cause the cylinder to inadvertently rotate or tumble as it descendsbelow the surface. Such unnecessary tumbling may increase the chance ofa tangled line. To eliminate any possibility, the plate may containadditional holes to allow air to escape. It is also may be preferable touse a piece of cross hatched or grid material in place of the plate.

Further, instead of a plate 7, radial supporting members 107 may also beused. As non-limiting examples, such members may be fixedly attached theinner and outer cylinders or may be attached to an inner ring 115 andouter ring 120 as shown in FIG. 8. The inner ring 115 may be slide overthe inner cylinder 101 and rest or lock into a shoulder or slot 110 onthe outside surface of the inner cylinder 1. The outer ends ofsupporting members 107 could be connected by an outer ring 120 that mayengage a shoulder 130 on the inner surface of the outer cylinder or eachmember may separately engage its outer distal end to a notch within theinner surface of the outer cylinder. There are many feasiblepossibilities well know to the mechanical arts to accomplish this taskand not part from the spirit and intention of the invention.

To use the cable pack, the appropriate size pack is selected such thatthe maximum length of the cable is greater than the maximum depth ofwater in which it is to be used. One attachment means is attached to ananchor weight and the other is attached to a buoy or float.

The depth of the water at the insertion site is determined from afathometer reading or a chart fix. The restraining pins for all cabledepths less that the desired depths are then removed from the pack whichdisengage the corresponding cable attachment points from the cylindersthereby releasing the desired amount of line. Sufficient slack to absorbexpected wave and wind forces should be considered in that choice toprevent undue peak stress on the cable.

The buoy float, cable pack and the anchor weight are then placed intothe water in that order or simultaneously. Placing the anchor in thewater first may be a safety issue. As the anchor weight descends to thebottom, the cable runs free from one or both ends of the cable packuntil the anchor reaches the bottom or the cable payout reaches theremaining fixed attachment points in the cable pack. If all of the pinsare removed for maximum depth, all of the cable will run out of thecable pack and the cylinders will eventually slide down the cable andrest on the anchor weight.

The diameter, length, composition and tensile strength of the cable maybe selected by the manufacturer for the particular environment and useintended. The cable may range from a single polymer filament to ananchor chain. The selection will dictate size of the cable pack,materials used and the type of attachment points required. Water solubleor biodegradable materials may be used for short term requirements andcivilian usages, durable high tensile strength material may beappropriate for military combat usage.

The anchor may also be made of a water soluble material such as a bag,container or a can with a suitable closure device and attachment point.Non-limiting novel examples may include a water soluble or biodegradablesandbag with a drawstring, although a conventional anchor would beobvious to one of ordinary skill in skilled in the art.

In still another non-limiting embodiment, the answer to the ancillaryproblem caused by buoys blocking navigable waterways is solvable by thisinvention by including an additional securing member at the top end ofthe inner and/or outer cylinders which is cold water soluble. Cold waterhere is defined as the normal range of ocean and fresh water lake/streamtemperatures which would range from 0° C.-37° C. The securing devicewould attach the buoy float to the anchor pack and allow the buoy floatto be pulled to the bottom by the anchor assuming that the anchor packis also attached to the anchor. Any type of securing device could beused including a mere length of cold water soluble line. With such anarrangement, while there is no requirement for the buoy to be floatingon the surface and is therefore held on the bottom by the anchor andsecuring device(s), water craft can freely traverse the area with outconcern.

The water soluble securing device or retainer may be manufactured so asto release the buoy during an appropriate time frame. As a non-limitingexample, lobster pots could be placed on the bottom. Since there is noneed to immediately monitor or retrieve the traps on the bottom, thebuoy retaining devices may be designed such that they loose theirmechanical integrity, break and release the buoy to the surface in atime period when the owner plans to return and check his traps. Thedefinition of “mechanical integrity” used here means that the componentremains essentially in its original mechanical form and is able towithstand the tensile or sheer forces the component was designed towithstand in order to complete it intended function.

The buoy retaining device can be made of any suitable water solublematerial depending on the required performance. The material may includevarious combinations of polyvinyl chloride and other binding materialssuch as clay, ceramic, powdered metal, plastic or the like. Any suitablesubstances well known to the material and chemical arts may be used aswell depending on the dictates of the environment or end use of thecomponent.

A non-limiting, non-exhaustive list of known types of water solublepolymers include carboxy methyl cellulose, cellulose gum, polyvinylalcohol (PVOH), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polyaspartic acid, polyacrylicacid, propyl cellulose, copolymers of polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylacetate, polymethacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone,polyalkylene oxides, complex carbohydrates and combinations thereof ascopolymers, blends, mixtures, and the like. The polymers can be combinedwith biodegradable polyester or other biodegradable material such asorganic soluble materials. Microencapsulated versions of the foregoingchemicals may also be used to provide a time delay dissolution as well.The type and combination of the polymer used may also vary if used tomanufacture any of the other components of the anchor pack, such as thecylinders 1 and 2, cable 6, restraining pins 5, attachment points 8, thesupporting member 7 or the anchor. Different components may requiredifferent mechanical attributes and dissolution times. As a non-limitingexample, Solvron™ thread may be a used as a cable in the appropriatecircumstances, while a Polyvinyl Acetate compound may be more desirablefor the inner cylinder. Solvron™ is available in several formulationsSuch as SX-600, SH, SM, SLH, SL, etc. Each formulation may haveappropriate chatrracteristics for a particular use scenario. As such anyformulation is contemplated here.

The concentration of the water soluble polymer in the buoy retaining pinand the physical dimensions of the buoy retaining pin would determinehow fast the buoy retaining pin would dissolve away sufficiently torelease the buoy float. Similarly, the thickness of the cylinders 1 and2, supporting member 7 or cable 6 may influence the speed of dissolutionof those components as well.

Water soluble materials can be described as hot water soluble materialsand cold water soluble. “Hot water” is sometimes defined as more than37° C. and will be so here. Hot water soluble materials(Temperature >37° C.) are designed to dissolve and loose theirmechanical integrity rapidly in hot water. Such hot water solublematerials may be useful in naturally occurring bodies of water where thewater is cold (<37° C.) and where the mechanical integrity of a givencomponent is required to be maintained for a long period of time. A“long period of time” is defined herein to be a time period greater thanthirty minutes. Conversely a “short time period” is defined as a timeperiod of less than thirty minutes.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,967 to Honeycutt and to Yang, U.S. Pat. No.5,658,977 describe non-limiting examples of hot water soluble PVOH andPVA polymers that dissolve rapidly at temperatures above 37° C. Hotwater soluble compounds may also dissolve in cold water but at muchslower rates. Such hot water soluble compounds may be useful inmanufacturing water soluble objects that retain their mechanicalintegrity for long time periods immersed in cold water. Even thoughimmersed in cold water, hot water soluble materials eventually dissolve.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,664,333 to Wang and U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,601 to Gougedisclose exemplary non-limiting cold water soluble materials. Cold watersoluble materials are designed to loose their mechanical integrity anddissolve rapidly in cold water (temperature <37° C.). Such materials maybe useful in naturally occurring bodies of water where the physicalintegrity of a given component or is required for a short time period.

The time periods required for components made of water soluble materialsmay be manipulated by specific mechanical construction. Constructing thecomponents of the present invention from layers of the same or differingpolymer compounds may be useful varying the mechanical strength of thecomponent and timing of dissolution. Furthermore the use of reinforcing,metallic mesh, such as easily corrodible metal (i.e. Iron), may be usedto strengthen the polymer sheeting material yet still allow for theeventual total degrading of the device over time.

As a non-limiting example, layering one type of water soluble materialover another may lengthen the time of mechanical integrity of the partas a whole relative to a component made of a single layer of a singlematerial.

As a non-limiting example, a material that dissolves in a long timeperiod (a “slowly dissolving material”) may be laminated on one sidewith a material that dissolves in a short time period (“fast dissolvingmaterial”). In such a combination, the fast dissolving material mayprevent water from reaching both sides of the slower dissolving materialfor a time thus extending the longer dissolving material's time ofmechanical integrity. Placing a faster dissolving material on both sidesof the slower dissolving material may increase the time of mechanicalintegrity even longer because very little water will reach the slowerdissolving material while the faster dissolving material exists. Thetime of mechanical integrity may be extended even longer by covering theedges of the slower dissolving material as well. A slow dissolvingmaterial may be a hot water soluble layer sandwiched between two coldwater soluble laminae.

Conversely, another non-limiting example may entail laminating a fastdissolving material between two laminae of a slow dissolving material.Such an arrangement may extend the time of mechanical integrity evenlonger that the previous example. It should be noted here that bylaminate it is meant the binding of one sheet of material againstanother as used in the ordinary sense of the term but for the sake ofsimplicity the term here also means a coating of one substance byanother.

The combinations and types of polymers, numbers of laminates, laminatethickness and the order of lamination may be varied to influence thedissolution rate and ultimately the time to mechanical integrityfailure. Further still leaving the edges of the layers open to the wateror placing holes through the water soluble sheet material may alsocontrol the time of mechanical integrity as more layers/surface area aresimultaneously exposed to the water.

It is emphasized that the use of PVA or PVOH is not necessarilyessential to practicing the current invention. Any suitable substanceswell known to the material arts, in several different combinations, mayalso be used depending on the design requirement of the manufacturer. Analternative construction may comprise an metallic or non-metallic ioniccompound with a known dissolvability in a saline solution or freshwater.

Also of note, the use of hot water soluble and cold water solublepolymers and polymer compounds can be used to control the dynamicactivity of other types of apparatus that are to remain unattended andsubmerged and may include pipeline components, communications equipment,well heads, plugs for a ship's pump discharge lines, fishing equipment,diving equipment as well as a multitude of products used by boat ownersand are disposed of over the side.

The foregoing description of the specific examples of the variousembodiments of the invention has been presented for the purpose ofillustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It isintended that the scope of the invention be limited not with thedescription but rather by the claims appended hereto.

1. An apparatus comprising: an outer covering; an inner cylinder placedinside said outer covering, said inner cylinder being hollow having anopen top end and an open bottom end and having a diameter such as toallow a space to exist between the inner surface of the outer covering;a cable, said cable running longitudinally through the center of theinner cylinder having a first distal end and a second distal end andwound around the outside surface of said inner cylinder; a set of pins;and, a set of holes set into the side of the said outer cover anddirectly opposing a set of holes set into the side of said innercylinder, the said holes accepting and allowing to pass the said set ofpins through the outer cover and inner cylinder.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising: a first attachment means connected to thefirst distal end, wherein the first attachment means secures a buoy tothe cable; a second attachment means connected to the second distal end,the second attachment means securing the cable to a weight; a supportingmember connecting the outer cover to the inner cylinder; and one or moreattachment points connected to the cable.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1further comprising a buoy securing device, wherein the buoy securingdevice temporarily attaches a buoy to the apparatus while submerged,wherein further the buoy securing device releases the buoy during apredetermined time frame.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the buoysecuring device is constructed from a water soluble material.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein one or more of the inner cylinder, outercover, cable, pins, securing member, attachment points, first attachmentmeans, second attachment means and weight are constructed at leastpartially of water soluble materials.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5wherein the weight is a container further comprising a closure means, aweight attachment means and a container shell containing a quantity ofnaturally occurring substances wherein the closure means secures thenatural substances inside the container shell and the weight attachmentmeans attaches the weight to the second attachment means.
 7. Anapparatus comprising: an outer cover; an inner structure placed insidesaid outer covering; a cable wound around the outside surface of saidinner structure; a set of pins; and, a set of holes set into the side ofthe said outer cover and directly opposing set of holes set into theside of said inner cylinder, the said holes accepting and allowing topass the said set of pins through the outer cover and inner cylinder,securing the outer cover and the cable to the inner cylinder.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of the outer cover, innerstructure, cable and set of pins is one of formed, molded and extrudedfrom at least one of a water soluble and biodegradeable material.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8 wherein the water soluble material is a blendedpolymer compound based on one of cellulose gum, carboxy methylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer,polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polyaspartic acid, polyacrylic acid,polymethacrylic acid, propyl cellulose, copolymers of polyvinyl alcoholand polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone andpolyalkylene oxides.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the blendedpolymer retains its mechanical integrity for a predetermined time framewhile dissolving slowly in water at a temperature below at least 37° C.11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the blended polymer is rapidly hotwater soluble and slightly coldwater soluble.
 12. The apparatus of claim6 wherein the closure means, the weight attachment means and thecontainer shell is rapidly hot water soluble and slightly coldwatersoluble.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein at least one of theclosure means, the weight attachment means and the container shellcomprises a laminate of at least two layers of a water soluble polymer.14. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein one of the outer covering, innerstructure and pins are constructed of a plurality of laminations of atleast to different water soluble materials.
 15. A method to control themechanical integrity of a water soluble apparatus while submergedcomprising: selecting one or more water soluble materials based on theirinitial mechanical integrity and water solubility characteristics;determining an arrangement of one or more layers of the water solublematerial that will provide a desired level of mechanical integrity and adesired dissolution speed binding the one or more layers of eachselected water soluble material together by one of lamination processand a coating process to produce an integrated water soluble feedstock;and, from the integrated water soluble feedstock, manufacturing adesired article by one of a extrusion process and a molding process. 16.The method of claim 15 including inserting a mesh between any of twolayers of water soluble material.
 17. The method of claim 15 includinginserting a mesh within a layer of water soluble material.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 7 wherein the cable is constructed from Solvron™.